𝐌𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 ☆ 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐚𝐲 (𝐓𝐏𝐍)

Chapter 2

Trigger Warning: Self Harm, Puking

Later than evening, Ray stumbled out of his bed once again. He had scanned through the last few pages of that book Mama had gave him, and yet no matter how much he tried to forget about it, the words never left his head.

Ray had always told himself that love was simply foolish, and that they'd get nowhere living in an 'orphanage'. You'd only have until you're 18 with them anyways. So, there wasn't really a point.

But then again, nobody could tear his eyes away from the gentle words on the pages.

They'd stuck to him like glue, and even when he was called for dinner he almost refused to get up until he remembered where he was.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming Mom." He called from down the stairs, making his way to the large dining tables where the other children sat. Norman and Emma spotted the raven quickly, patting a space next to them so they could all eat together.

"Ray, come sit with us!" Emma called, munching on a piece of bread which Norman slapped out of her hand.

"We haven't said grace, Emma." Norman spoke calmly, turning to Ray with a smile as he sat down next to the albino.
"You feeling alright, Ray? I know you don't like spending time with the others, but you're never this late to dinner." He commented.

The other boy glanced down at the freshly prepared food, before replying.
"Everything's fine, Norman. No need to worry about me."
He was fine, and that was the truth. Well, he had to be fine, or people would start worrying; and Ray couldn't have any suspicion drawn towards him. Mama had a strict rule about suspicion, and ever since he'd been cautious not to slip up and ruin their plans.

Norman nodded, and a silence was held as Mama spoke grace. Emma immediately began chewing on the unfinished piece of bread once it was done.
"It makes me happy to know that you're okay, Ray."

A pang of guilt shot through his body, like a bullet, however he chose to stay quiet about it. Although... another feeling began to arise. It felt nice to know that Norman cared about him. Maybe... no. It isn't what I think it is.

Ray quickly shook his head and began to tear into his turkey, quite aggressively to say the least, leaving the other kids worried and a bit frightened. Oops.

"Ray, dear... calm down a bit. The other children are feeling a bit intimidated by your behaviour." It was Mama speaking, as she places a hand on his shoulder. It makes him tense, which could be quickly noticed by anybody, so he relaxes his muscles.

"Sorry, Mom." And then he stands up, half-eaten dinner infront of his place at the table. "I need to be excused."

Without another word, Ray stands up and exits the room. A sick feeling in his stomach is all it takes for him to change direction, heading straight for the sinks as he tosses his head down and pukes out everything he had just eaten. It felt awful, it really did. That touch to the shoulders made him feel more uneasy.

Ray wasn't at all usually scared of anything, but this woman was different. It was as if she were trying to intimate him, just to warn him that he should never try to leave this place.

"Ray?" A voice echoes from behind him, as his head is still half-stuck into this dirty sink. Just to his luck, it had to be Norman. The raven-haired boy stands up, using the sleeve of his uniform to wipe off his mouth, and turns towards the boy.

"Yeah, what is it?" He answers in a cold tone of voice.

"Is everything alright? What happened...- here..." His eyes widened slightly, a more concerned look appears and he almost lunges towards Ray to check if he's okay.